Going with the flow



I have this sticky note stuck to my computer to remind me to stop fighting life. I must admit it's been both a struggle and a battle at times over the last eight weeks. There's certainly a lot going on in this life. My mother would most probably offer her pearl of wisdom - you're trying to do to much!

It's true I am trying to accomplish a lot, work is at a peak at the moment with the programme I am writing needing to be ready by the end of August. My thesis is hotting up with my supervisor actually expecting me to write it *lol*, there's the time commitment with Bailey's speech pathology as well as the daily life of looking after twin 6-year old boys (I wish I had half their energy!) and spending quality time with Andrew . . .  and oh yeah I'd like to create something sometime!

With that in mind I've been re-assessing the way I do things. If this is how my life is there seems little point wingeing about it. So I've been thinking about single-tasking. I've always been a multi-tasker but lately my brain is suggesting that needs to stop. I've been trying to take in a process soooooo much information lately that my head's felt like it's been about to explode. Seriously I've been waiting for the 'This brain will self-destruct in five minutes' and then splat brain mush on the computer screen. Ewwww.

I found this blog when researching single-tasking and I must say just doing one thing at a time seems to have it's benefits, stress-relieve just one of them. So far this week it's been an up and down try, I think I've been multi-tasking for so long it's going to take some time to unlearn it. But I like the idea of being truly present in whatever I'm doing, be it family, art, work or study, to be present and attentive in the moment is a treasure so I'm going to focus on that.

Til next time. I hope you are having a great day.

It's almost Christmas!!

I just realised it's been almost a month since I posted. Oh well the best laid plans of mice and in this case woman!! I do intend to post more often, it's just that life gets in the way.

Anyway here are some cards. I've finally perfected the VersaMark resist using a brayer. You need to let the VersaMark dry before you use the brayer to ink the glossy paper. It took me a while to work out what I was doing wrong, but I got there in the end.


This idea I cased from someone, but can't remember who (sorry!). It uses the masking technique and the sponge daubers - my new fav tool! It's actually a very effective technique that I'm sure I'm going to use again, when I get time.


This is a sneak peak on a calligraphic work-in-progress. This year rather than create a design for a christmas card I thought I would complete a finished piece. This is half-uncial and a celtic greeting. I think I picked the most elaborate celtic decoration I could find, but I'm sure it will look cool when it's finished - hopefully by next weeek. I'll post a photo of the finished piece.

I feel like I'm always rushing at the moment and it's about time to rush to kinder, rush home, rush to swimming, rush home and rush some work in this afternoon. Then it's collapse time for a double episode of the Amazing Race - if I can stay awake that long!! Have a good one and hopefully it won't be too long before I post again.

Not lost, just busy . . .

I honestly haven't had time to think since about Monday. Work has invaded my life in a big way, it's an urgent job so hopefully that won't always be the case. It's been a bit of a struggle balancing everything that I need to to and want to do, but I'm sure I'll get there eventually.

Here are some cards I made last week.

Supplies: Stampin' Up - Paper: Choc Chip, Really Rust, Urban Garden.

Stamp Sets: Boho Backgrounds, Enjoy Every Moment, Inks: Really Rust, Old Olive.

Brad - Making Memories, Bling - Kazzaz, Ribbon - Sullivans Bow & Tie.

Supplies: Stampin up: Paper - Night of Navy, Stamp Sets: Pun Fun, Enjoy Every Moment,

Inks: Versamark, Clear Embossing Powder, Pastels. Glitter - Kindyglitz

Work has slowed for a day while my storyboard is examined. Today it's still been busy, I've been into Fitzroy to buy some paper supplies for an upcoming workshop - always fun. Tonight I have my first Stampin' Up workshop, which will hopefully go as planned. We are making Post-It note holders.

My Dad is here this afternoon making some shelves for our very small European laundry (i.e. cupboard!!). Space is of a premium in out tiny abode and these shelves are going to hopefully free up some badly needed space in our tiny kitchen. Bailey and Nathan are having so much fun 'helping'. Each has a hammer and is banging happily away on a scrap piece of wood - they are in Bob the Builder heaven. I'm not too sure about Dad though.

Hope you are all having an excellent day.

Movember Update

This is Andrew attempt (some may say sad attempt) at growing a Mo for Movemeber. I must admit I'm glad that it has been shaved off, not very nice in the kissing stakes and I think it does nothing for his face. Still a good effort and he has raised over $500 for Prostate Cancer research and that can only be a good thing.

Been meaning to post for a while, but to be honest I'm so tired by the time Bailey and Nathan go to bed that I fall asleep in the chair in front of the TV. Blogging during the day is difficult because they are firmly attached to me.

Now I know that someone must read this blog besides me and my family because I have a growing number of dots on my clustermaps. Please someone leave me a comment so I know where you are from and what you do and so that I can check out your blog.

Must go, munchkins are back from the park and peace has ended!!

What's that smell?

Had to quickly share this story while Bailey and Nathan are safely eating brekkie and watching Shaun the Sheep.

Last night we put the boys to bed as normal, Nathan fell asleep almost immediately, Bailey however, having had a catnap at around 5pm decided not to go to sleep. That's okay, Andrew was on duty and just kept putting him into bed. Around 9pm when all was quiet I said to Andrew - Can you smell something? So we decided to check to make sure that Bailey hadn't got into anything . . . . yes . . . you guessed it . . . this is a real toddler/preschooler moment!

Bailey had found the Curash Nappy Rash cream, which is like thick zinc cream. Now not only had he decided to smear it all over his bed and the spare bed, he had also decided to completely cover a few toys, to try to feed Nathan some while he was sleeping . . . oh and to eat some himself! Andrew and I went into complete recovery mode, we rang Nurse-on-call who then passed us onto Poison's Australia, who advised us that this stuff was non-toxic and the worst case scenario was some diahorrea. So we cleaned out Bailey's mouth, cleaned his teeth, gave him lots of water to drink stripped the beds, washed the sheets, chucked the toys, tried to explain to Bailey why it's important not to eat things that are in strange tubes . . . and all the while Nathan kept sleeping.

I'm sure that this won't be the first time the boys eat something they are not supposed to, but hopefully it will all turn out okay like last night.

Next post will be some photos of Andrew's 40th, just need to find the time to post them!!!